Tour De Jasper 2012 - Day 3

Coffee Break in Mcbride

Squirrel fights the wind.

 Like the day before, I was by myself again  for the first stretch.  Well, I was with Glen, but by the time I climbed up the hill to get out of the Lasalle Campsite, he was long gone!

Another 100 + km ride to Tete Jaune

 This day, unlike the day before, I didn't panic and just road casually knowing that I would eventually catch up with someone.  I do admit, that I was so happy to see other riders!  It is much more fun for sure riding with someone.  While riding along up a hill, I did see a bear in the bush, but he was quite a ways away and didn't notice me.  I just kept on riding.
For a lot of the day I rode with the twins who were very nice to ride with.  They ride the same speed as me, slow.

Upcoming Critical Mass - July 27, 2012

It is Critical Mass time again. It's a great time of the year to meet up. Don't forget to invite your friends! I hope to see a good sized group come on Friday night as it's so nice outside. It would be so awesome!

We meet in front of the Prince George Civic Centre at 5:30pm on Friday, July 27th, 2012. We will depart at 5:40pm.

We will hang out at Nancy O's afterwards if anyone is interested.

Tour De Jasper 2012 - Day 2

How to keep mosquitoes off of you.

Squirrel gets a bit hot.

On Thursday, we biked from Purden Lake to Lasalle Lake.  We would be riding about 105 km which was the first time that I had ridden that far this year.  It was a very hot day compared to the 2011 trip.  I ended up a bit behind the last of the group as I had to adjust the seat as it was too low the day before.  I rushed for quite a distance before I finally caught up with other riders.  Never again!  I was so tired when I reached them.

Tour De Jasper 2012 - Day 1

Squirrel has fun helping out.

 
I was so happy when the first day  of Tour De Jasper arrived!  I couldn't wait to meet all the new riders for this trip. There were also a few that I know from previous trips and also from the Caledonia Ramblers Hiking Club.  I had so much fun helping out last year that I decided to volunteer as a sweep again.

Tour De Jasper 2012 Preview

Day 1 Destination:  Purden

I've just come back from Tour De Jasper 2012.  I'm still recovering from the trip and sorting my gear out.  I have managed to start working on some posts to put on the blog.  I had a great time and took some awesome photos of this year's adventure.  Here's a mere taste which feature some of the riders on the trip:

Stay tuned for more posts!

Chance encounters

Today, I decided to do another training run.  I decided a 30 km would be ok.  Thankfully, it was not as hot as yesterday, and the clouds were out.  It made for easier riding and I actually had energy.

Going up Highway 16 I saw this bike support van going by and I immediately thought of the Texas 4000 ride from Texas to Alaska.  I had last met them on the 2010 Tour De Jasper.  Sure enough, soon after, I saw some riders with their familiar shirts!  I cheered them as they went by.  I am glad thatI went riding today, or I would have missed them!  It is another lucky day I think.

I continued  up the hill and rode to the turnoff to Highway 97.  I eventually ended back home.  I was getting a little tired riding into the wind, but I got honks of support from drivers.

I believe that this is the last ride that I will do before riding to Jasper on Wednesday.    At home I quickly bought some Canadian flags for the bikes when me and Deanna ride in the USA.

Michael, from Argentina

After keeping cool while enjoying a sub at Subway, I met a bike tourist from Argentina riding down the main road.   I am always so curious when I see one in the City.
He was biking from Alaska to Argentina!  He asked directions to a friend's place and I offered to take him there.  This is my way of giving back for all those who helped me on my trip.  I was so happy to help as I have not met many this year so far.
I told him about the road to Jasper that he would be taking, and also of the Icefields.  I am amazed and inspired by him going so far.  When I found his friend's place, we said our goodbyes.  It was nice chatting for that little bit in time while finding the address.  I feel so good doing this!  I hope I can help more.
This makes today a very special day to me!

Hot Days/Cool Nights

The days are hot in the City.  We truly are having a Summer.  My apartment gets very warm, so I am tending to hangout at friends.  This morning, like many Saturday mornings I was lazy.  The heat only makes me lazier!
I am glad that we have a dry heat, not a humid one like back East.  It has been around 26 to 31!c every day.  Despite it making me lazy, I am loving it
I have been biking around at the Farmer's Market to say hi to friends.  And also hanging out at air conditioned businesses.  It will be a very hot and sunny ride on Tour De Jasper, but I think I am ready.  I should be riding today, but I don't feel like it.  Oh well,  I still love riding around on my bike.

Nine days until First Summer Adventure.

Tour De Jasper is around the corner!

I am going to be helping out at as a sweep again. I really can't wait to get out.  I was kind of sad that I didn't go to Bear Lake this weekend, but that's the way things go. 

I think that we will be having a good tour this year.  Last year we had so much rain!  I can't wait to see the mountains again, it seems like forever since I have last seen them.

If you are a new follower of my blog, you should check out my previous trips:
Some mix of 2010 Tour De Jasper stuff - http://carolynsflightoffancy.blogspot.ca/search?q=tour+de+jasper+2010

2011 posts - http://carolynsflightoffancy.blogspot.ca/search/label/Tour%20De%20Jasper%202011

Enjoying festivities on bike

I was supposed to bike 77 km to Bear Lake today.  (North of City)
But as Big Red is in the shop getting a new drive train for this Summer's adventures, I decided to hang around the city instead with Baxter.   I discovered that there is lots going on!
There is the Art days for children, The Pride festival, and the Farmer's Market.   I have never seen so much happening all at once!  And it is nice that we are actually getting a Summer.  It is a great day to be on abike.  I actually seen a few families on today riding around on their bikes.
Here are some photos from the Pride festivities and the train at the Art Festival.  I am using tablet as my computer is also in the shop!

Canada Day Ride

Me in my geeky bike clothing- so I could be seen on the highway

Squirrel celebrates Canada Day

On July 1, the clouds lifted and there was sunshine!  It was like a miracle. It was also Canada Day!  Mary-jo left a message just after the crack of dawn for me to call her back.  She wanted to go riding and so did I.  It was so boring hanging around home on Saturday, June 29.